Good books: 'The Finkler Question,' 'The Jefferson Project' and more

"Secrets to the Grave," "The Finkler Question," "The Jefferson Project," "Elizabeth's Women" by historian Tracy Borman and "How to Raise Your Adult Children."

Susie Stooksbury

Tami Hoag picks up the action in "Secrets to the Grave."

In 1986, as tiny Oak Knoll, Calif., prepares for the trial of serial killer Peter Crane, whose crime spree and arrest made up the action in “Deeper than the Dead,” the citizens are shocked by a new murder.

Marissa Fordham, a young mother with an unknown past, is found dead in her home with her injured 4-year-old daughter, Haley, close by. Sheriff Tony Mendez once again calls on Vince Leone, the FBI agent specializing in the new technique called profiling, to help. Meanwhile, Leone's wife, Anne, the former teacher who is a chief witness in the upcoming murder trial, works with young Haley to find out what happened the day her mother was killed.

The 2010 Man Booker Prize winner is "The Finkler Question," a witty and intriguing novel by Howard Jacobson.

Three long-time friends meet for dinner one evening: Julian Treslove, a former BBC announcer of little note; Sam Finkler, a somewhat anti-Semitic Jewish author of self-help books; and Libor Sevcik, their former professor, also Jewish, who is now a famous journalist.

Their conversation, as usual, becomes good-natured combative talk about the state of Israel, with Julian feeling somewhat left out, yet again. But when he is mugged on his way home, Julian believes it is because he was mistaken for a Jew. The incident ends up having deep –– and comical –– ramifications for all three men.

"Elizabeth's Women" by historian Tracy Borman

Shrewd and vivacious, Elizabeth Tudor survived a childhood fraught with political dangers to become England's great Queen Elizabeth I. Historian Tracy Borman gives us a new biography of her as seen through the eyes of the women who tended to her, advised her, loved her and, in some cases, despised her. This book examines the lives of the "friends, rivals and foes who shaped the Virgin Queen" to give us a fascinating and intimate look at the ruler and her world.

In "The Jefferson Project," Thor Duffin takes an intriguing look at an America on the verge of anarchy.

The political system, now so corrupt it is failing, is only able to hold onto power by creating dissension among the people. At the University of Virginia, once the center of Thomas Jefferson's hopes for the new country, a political science professor challenges his students to find a solution to the situation.

David Archer and his classmates outline an audacious plan that quickly gains national attention. Soon a movement is underway to fix the country's many problems –– a movement that corrupt Washington players work secretly to quash.

Gail Parent, an award-winning TV writer/producer, and psychotherapist Susan Ende have teamed up to write a fun and informative guide that tells you "How to Raise Your Adult Children."

So you have safely navigated your kids through childhood and adolescence and they have set forth into the world to make their own way. If you think your job as parent is done and that you can rest on your laurels, think again.

Adult kids lose jobs, choose inappropriate life partners or acquire horrible in-laws –– in short, their problems are now bigger problems and they will look to you as their prime source of comfort and support.

Joseph Ballista, also known as Joey Ballistic for his love of blowing things up, has done a lot of bad things in his career with the mob. In fact, he is currently facing what's called enhanced punishment for being a repeat offender.

His lawyer, Lucille Lettermore (aka “Lefty Lucy" to every district attorney in the county) hires Amos Walker to prove that Joey did not try to kill investigative journalist Jerry Stackpole. Unfortunately, Stackpole, now permanently maimed from the car bombing, is Walker's only friend. If you haven't met Loren Estleman's popular detective, now is the time to do it.

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